BIO 126 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Habituation, Optimal Foraging Theory, Classical Conditioning
10 May 2016
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Document Summary
Begins with the capture of light energy by photoreceptors. Can be used to determine both the direction and distance of an object. Invertebrates have simple visual systems with photoreceptors clustered in an eyespot. Flatworms can perceive the direction of light but cannot construct a visual image. Vision enables us to interpret electromagnetic cues with respect to the presence or absence of light. Behavior is the observable response of organisms to internal or external stimuli. Behavioral ecology studies how behavior contributes to the differential survival and reproduction of organisms. Tinbergen observed gull nestlings hatch and parents remove the shells of the eggs. Predators (crows) found nests with broken eggs and ate the hatchlings: nests without egg shells had less predation. It reduces predation and thus increases the offspring"s chances of survival. Nature (innate: obvious that genes guide development of nervous system and potentially the behavioral responses. Even if isolated, the organism will exhibit these traits.
